Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE:RGC), a leading motion picture ex-hibitor owning and operating thelargest theatre circuit in the UnitedStates, announced a milestone with200 theatres nationwide now offer-ing the Sony Entertainment AccessSystem at theatres across the coun-try. Regal Entertainment Group isworking exclusively with Sony forthis cutting-edge technology toassist moviegoers who are deaf,

hard of hearing, have low vision or areblind.“Regal is leading the way by providingthe best experience available for all ofour guests. This technology, designedby the experts at Sony, is revolutionaryin terms of greater access for moviego-ers,” stated Ken Thewes, Regal Enter-tainment Group Chief MarketingOfficer. “We expect to deploy thisequipment to all of our digital cinemasby April and we are encouraged by thepositive feedback already received re-garding the new technology.”

“With Sony’s entertainment accessglasses, a broader range of the moviegoing public can now enjoy excitingmovie experiences in a relaxed, naturalway without the inconvenience of sepa-rate screening times or special seating,”said Dianne LaGuardia, senior marketingmanager for digital cinema at Sony Elec-tronics. “We’re proud to be working

Past meeting report;Next meetingannouncement;Heath & Fitness Expo

Continuation of page 1story

Coping Strategies forTravelers with HearingLoss

About UsContact Us

In This Issue

Portland, the pioneer of “green” initiatives and sustainability, has so much tooffer our Convention 2013 attendees. There are loads of parks, gardens,museums, theaters, tax-free shopping, wineries…the list is endless. So startplanning now by visiting our “micro-site” created by TravelPortland – it is chock-full of information about the area as well as day-trips to Mount Hood (via theColumbia River Gorge), and the Oregon Coast (just an hour and a half away).

OCTOBER | 2012

with Regal to rollout this revolutionarytechnology.”The system includes specially designedlightweight eyewear for guests who aredeaf or hard of hearing to privately viewclosed captioned text directly in theirline of sight for both 2D and 3D mov-ies. This assistive technology can accom-modate headphones or neck loopsconnected to the wireless receiver tohear descriptive audio tracks for patronswho have low vision or those who areblind.

The Sony Entertainment Access Systemis available at the Guest Services counteror from any theatre manager. Captionsand descriptive audio can only be ac-cessed by use of this equipment and it isnot visible or audible to other moviego-ers. To select films offering this service,online show times will note: “Accessibili-ty Devices Available.”

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Helping Each Other to Deal with Hearing Loss

Helping to Manage with Hearing Loss

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We are now meeting at A.D.BarnesPark - Leisure Access Center

The Miami-Dade county park facility isoffering us free use of an air-conditioned spacious cabin (Cabin ishardly the word to describe thebuilding. We have free parking and thepark is centrally located in thedemographic center of the county, sowe should be able to build membershipa bit easier. Hats off to HowardWatson for arranging this facility.

Photo taken of our group at the A.D.Barnes Park Leisure Access Center.

Our speaker was Eddie Sierra amember of HLAA and worked withBrenda Battat the HLAA ExecutiveDirector. Eddie is an insurance agentand financial counselor who spoke tothe group about a new grant programhe is working the Miami-Dade countyto provide low income individuals andfamilies The information generated alot of questions that Eddie answered.

Maria Elena Septién was one of themany volunteers at the Hearing LossAssociation of Greater Miami exhibitbooth. We had many flyers andHLAA magazines to distribute and aTV to display a DVD from HLAA.Many exhibitors were on hand to sellor display their wares and services.We had many people stop by todiscuss their hearing loss andconcerns.

The Health & Fitness Expo was heldat the Miami Beach ConventionCenter on September 22nd and 23rd,2012. Many exhibitors were on handto sell or display their wares andservices. We had many people stopby to discuss their hearing loss andconcerns

The next meeting of theHearing Loss Associationof Greater Miamiwill be held on:

Monday October 8, 2012

From 1PM to 3PM.

Come join us at:

Located at the corner of Bird Road andSW 72 Ave.

We will meet in the

Signs will be posted to show the way!

Refreshments will be provided.

We are planning for upcoming meetingsto have some terrific speakers to thegroup, As of now I have scheduled for

�November 12th - Scott Rinehart ofCochlear America

�December 10th - Mary McColloughAu.D. – Health Innovations

� January 14th Arlene Romoff – todiscuss her efforts in Caption Advocacy

� February 11 - Ron Dreyfus of CapTel

Other dates are open as of this writingso all suggestions are welcome!

LEAVING: December 8, 2012FROM: Ft. Lauderdale, FLON: Royal Caribbean Cruise LinesIndependence of the Seas

Contact Lynn Rousseau (HLAFlorida@aol.com) orBarbara Maher (barbaram@gotravelorlando.com) for more info.

OCTOBER | 2012 |PAGE 3

Over the years Regal has remained astrong advocate for making movie go-ing accessible to everyone. Regal En-tertainment Group is grateful for themany years of aid, insight and supportprovided by advocates within the deaf,hard of hearing, blind and low visioncommunities that led to this evolutionin movie going. Studio partners havealso responded and now make manyfilm titles available for use with thisassistive technology.Regal has an informative video onlinewhich demonstrates the Sony Enter-tainment Access System in action:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbUMjNnL7lw

For guests who are deaf or hard ofhearing, there is a second version ofthe video available with the narrationvisible online through open captions:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsckbFwU2SQ

Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE:RGC) operates the largest and mostgeographically diverse theatre circuit inthe United States, consisting of 6,597screens in 522 locations in 37 statesand the District of Columbia as of Au-gust 30, 2012. The Company operatestheatres in 43 of the top 50 U.S. des-ignated market areas. We believe thatthe size, reach and quality of the Com-pany's theatre circuit not only provideits patrons with a convenient and en-joyable movie-going experience, but isalso an exceptional platform to realizeeconomies of scale in theatre opera-tions. Additional information is avail-able on the Company's Web site atwww.REGmovies.com.

s:Sony Digital Cinema Solutions combinesa full range of Sony technologies andtraining and service to provide a broadrange of solutions for exhibitors. Theworld’s leading manufacturer ofcommercially available 4K resolutiondigital cinema projection systems, thegroup also offers Sony’s proprietarytheater management system); digitalsignage hardware, software and contentdevelopment; security systems andnetwork operations center (NOC)services for the exhibition community.Sony also offers flexible financingincluding a lease program and exhibitor-managed finance program leveragingSony’s VPF administration, that canmake converting to digital easier andmore affordable than ever before. Formore information, visitwww.sony.com/digitalcinema.¢

Each of the theaters listed below arewithin 60 miles of Miami

Regal Kendall Village Stadium 168595 S.W. 124 Avenue,Miami, FL 33101(305) 596-9081

Regal Southland Mall Stadium 1620505 S. Dixie Hwy.,

Miami, FL 33101(305) 251-7440

AMC Sunset Place 245701 Sunset Drive Ste. 300Miami, FL 33143(888) 262-4386

Regal Delray Beach 181660 S. Federal Hwy.Delray Beach, FL 33444(561) 272-0510

AMC Aventura 2419501 Biscayne Blvd #3001Miami, FL 33180305-466-9880

Regal Cypress Creek Station 166415 N. Andrews Ave.Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301(954) 771-4375

Cinemark Boynton Beach 141151 N. Congress Ave.,Boynton Beach, FL 33426(800) 326-3264

Cinemark Palace 20 - Boca Raton3200 Airport RdBoca Raton, FL 33431561-395-4695.¢

OCTOBER | 2012 |PAGE 4

David Branfield - HLA of VirginiaBeach

Thanks to Ruth Bernstein of the Hear-ing Loss Association of America Man-hattan Chapter and Lise Hamlin ofHearing Loss Association of America(HLAA) I am using their input to startthe group discussion on "Coping Strat-egies for Travelers with Hearing Loss"today at this meeting. In addition someof the info below appeared in

, the Center for Hearing and Com-munication's electronic newsletter on6/19/2011.

Traveling rates high on the list ofstressful situations for people withhearing loss. There are so many “needto hear” situations involved, that plan-ning and enjoying a trip can seem over-whelming and frightening. Here aresome ideas about traveling which touse to help lessen your pre-trip anxietylevel and raise your pleasure quotientwhile traveling on the road.

Take responsibility for yourself. Alwaysidentify yourself as someone with ahearing loss even if your are travelingwith a partner who can hear. Tell ev-eryone who is involved in arrangingyour trip you are hard of hearing/deafincluding the travel agent, ticketagent, airlines and hotel clerks, groupcoordinator or cruise ship operator. Ifyou can, use the Internet to make res-ervations. If you are making reserva-tions by phone, identify yourself as aperson who has a hearing loss and tellthe agent your needs so they can beentered into the computer. Follow upby stating your needs in writing. Askfor WRITTEN confirmation of all ar-

rangements. If possible, use the univer-sal symbol for hearing access on yourcorrespondence. (sticker)A hearing loss person should carry IDthat shows his/her name, address andphone number(s) plus a list of namesand addresses of your family and medi-cal contacts and to indicate that youhave a hearing loss. This is necessary incase of an emergency.

Put important papers, including yourpassport, drivers license and tickets in acarry-on bag. Pack of your IDinformation,itinerary,ticket(s), pass-port, license,credit card(s)and a list of themedications youtakefrom the actualdocuments andleave copies with a responsible personon your desk and on your computer.As part of planning for the trip, checkwith your audiologist, hearing aid suppli-er and/or assistive devices center forinformation about assistive technology.The FAA ruled that it is permissible totake ALDs including personal FM devicewith headphones and a neckloop, extrabatteries for ALDs and hearing aids, abattery tester, a portable phone amplifi-er, a small flashlight and a night lightyou need to communicate in your carry-on luggage. Be prepared to explain whatthe they are for. Take batteries out ofassistive devices you are not using andput them in your checked luggage. Packa small battery tester. Don't forget penand paper.

Check with your air carrier about howand where to pack these items men-tioned above.

When you fly, ask for an aisle seat soyou are closer to the flight attendant,making it easier to hear and speechread. Sit as far away from the en-gines as possible. When checking infor a flight, make the agent aware ofyour hearing loss. Ask if you can pre-board because you may not hear yourrow called. Sit within sight of thegate personnel so you will be awareof when announcements are beingmade. As soon as you board, tell thestaff you have a hearing loss and thatyou will need help understanding an-nouncements. If you are traveling byyourself, ask your seat mate to re-peat announcements, if necessary.Read the airplane safety publicationand use a personal listening system.Note: FM systems cannot be usedduring take-off or landing. Notifyingstaff of your hearing loss whereveryou go is important on all forms oftransportation-ships, buses and trainsand, of course, at hotels.When traveling with a group, explainthe communication strategies thatwork for you, share the informationon “Tips for Communicating WithSomeone Who is Hard of Hearing orOral Deaf”, demonstrate the assistivedevices you use and ask people tohelp you.If you have communication problemsduring a trip, speak to the person incharge and explain your needs calmlyand clearly.Be flexible and try to keep your senseof humor.After the trip, write letters of thanksor complaint.Remember , take responsibility foryourself. Speak up and ask for helpwhen you need it. Most important ofall, enjoy your travels!

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Check the web site or call the carrieryou are using to find out about identifi-cation requirements and baggage re-strictions. This keeps changing so it isimportant to recheck this informationwithin 24 hours of your trip. For pack-ing instructions go to the Transporta-tion Security Administration webpage,http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm andhttp://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtmFor flight information check your air-lines andhttp://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp.I have also included suggestions fromother chapter leaders of HLAA.

A number of years ago, I made up busi-ness cards (just printed them on card

stock on my computer) that said, " I amhard of hearing. I cannot understandwhat is said over the PA. Please tell meif there are any unusual announce-ments. Passenger name: John Smith ,Flight [1234], Seat [17B]."I left the flight and seat number blankto fill in each time I traveled. I gave itto the flight attendant as I boarded theplane. I tell them I know the basic an-nouncements, just let me know ifthere's anything unexpected. SometimesI also gave it to another flight atten-

dant that was assigned to my area if Ididn't see the one I gave it to earlier. Ialso have said this to my seat-mate,when I travel solo. And, I never sit in anexit row anymore.Check to see if the airline has a disabili-ty phone number and if so, call at least48 hours ahead of your flight and givethem your flight confirmation number.

When I get a gate agent who seemsindifferent, I try another tactic: Everytime I hear something announced (usual-ly can’t make out what they are saying),I get up and go to the desk, and ask ifthat was something I need to knowabout. I make myself a pain in the neckfor them, and then they are less likely toforget to let me know when it’s time toboard.HLAA's position on accessibility at air-ports is stated on this webpage,http://hlaa-advocacy.blogspot.com/2011/01/access-to-airlines-are-we-there-yet.html.

For those who don't have access to theInternet here is a summary. HearingLoss Association of America participatedin the US Department of Transporta-tions’ (DOT) forum on the Air CarrierAccess Act (ACAA), “Working Togetherto Improve Air Travel for Passengerswith Disabilities” January 11, 2011.

At the DOT’s forum, it was emphasizedthat consumers need to send complaintsin – or things won’t change. DOT saysthey receive very few complaints frompeople with hearing loss. You and I maytalk about it, but we aren’t sending ourcomplaints to the people who need tohear about it. We must take responsibili-ty ourselves and file those complaints.To let DOT and the airlines how theycan do better, you need to let themknow what happened. But you need to

be very clear about your complaint.Air travel complaints:

Include:

You can contact the airline directly,or fill out the form on the DOT web-site:http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/escomplaint/es.cfm .

When boarding the Amtrak train,explain to the conductor that youhave a hearing loss, and might notunderstand the announcements. Theconductor will tell you how manystops before your arrival stop. Thenhe will come and get you too prior toyour arrival stop, to be sure youdon’t get left behind.

Seehttp://travel.state.gov/pdf/TravelingWithDisabilities_Oct_2010v2.pdfandhttp://alda.org/pdfs/DHHCAN_AirTravel_2009_guide.pdf.¢

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For information on hearing loops for your home, business, orhouse of worship, Call (305) 423-9950

The Hearing Loss Association of Greater Miami is an affiliate of theHearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), the nation’s largestmembership and advocacy organization for people with hearing loss.HLAA opens the world of communication to people with hearing lossthrough information, education, advocacy, and support.

– We provide information from technological andmedical advances to coping and parenting strategies. We can helpyou become an informed consumer on what options are available toyou to help you make the best decisions on how to deal with hearingloss.

– Our primary purpose is to educate ourselves, fami-lies, friends, coworkers, teachers, hearing healthcare providers,industry, government, and others about hearing loss.

– HLAA is a leading voice in improving communicationaccess for people with hearing loss in the workplace, hotels, schools,court systems, medical and entertainment facilities.

– We provide an opportunity for association amongpeople with hearing loss, their friends, families, and professionals.Our clear, straightforward message has changed the lives of manypeople.

Contact UsE-mail: info@hla-gm.orgMail to:Hearing Loss Association of Greater Miami11900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 720North Miami, FL 33181

Telephone:305-213-4092

Providing hearing loss information, education,advocacy and support to the Greater Miamicommunity.

We wish to thank our previous host, for graciously providing meeting space in

their offices during the past year.

HLA-GM is edited, produced and distributed (via e-mail)by Joe Dashiell, President of the Hearing loss Associationof Greater Miami and webmaster of www.hla-gm.org.

For advertising to the newsletter and contributions to ournon-profit 501(c)(3) organization please contact JoeDashiell at 305-213-4092